The rest of their journey to the Capital was relatively peaceful and uneventful, thanks to the additional knights Peiren and Nyna had brought with them, who each have a bracelet that has the same special runestones to cast a transparent shield in a large area around them.

The twins had recovered after three hours of Eury's healing and sat in the carriage with grumpy expressions as they remembered what happened to them in the middle of a battle.

Both of the princes also have other things in mind regarding what they have found out about their abilities.

×××

"Oh dear, you all look worn out." A handsome heron said as he walked out of the front doors of the royal castle to personally welcome them home. "Did something unexpected happen?"

Princess Nyna hopped off the carriage and went straight into his arms. "A town was almost razed to the ground and…and…there were lots of dead bodies everywhere…"

Peiren sighed as he also got out of the carriage, giving his sister a tired gaze. "That's why I told you to stay behind, since we don't know when a fight with those creatures will take place. We only had half our manpower because the other half had to protect you…"

"Are you implying I was a burden? Who do you think led the purification of the area before it became worse?"

"Not you, that's for sure." Peiren replied smugly.

"Oh yeah? Did you see anyone from the Congregation? Their ilk isn't exactly welcome here…"

Somnus and Letum got off their carriage as well, following behind Urien and Eury, and heard of the siblings' quarrel.

Somnus pursed his lips at that, knowing that he somehow has a weak ability to do that, while Letum wondered if one had to be ordained into any of the three religious orders to be able to wield it or if one could simply possess it on their own.

From what Eury had briefly explained to them, certain gifted priests are able to wield the purifying power; the strongest religious order is Phoenix's, as he is the Flaming Guardian whose fire first brought warmth, light and hope to their lands.

The older heron looked at his guest with a warm smile.

"I'm glad you're able to come."

The soon-to-be Crowned King Xanthus stood taller than any heron within their family, and unlike how the rest of the royal family have prominent white wings, he has dark iridescent purple wings that shine beautifully under the sun or any kind of lighting. One of his wings had that odd angle that the twins' eyes always gravitate to, as it is proof of what their eldest brother did and the reason why they grew up away from their family.

His face is sharply angular, one that he inherited from their father, yet his medium length bluish-purple gradient for hair gave him a certain softness as he tied it loosely over one shoulder.

"We wouldn't really miss out on your special day." Somnus shrugged. "Thank you for inviting us, Your Majesty."

Letum glanced at his brother, shocked that he's able to speak in a polite manner.

To think he was bracing himself on whatever stupid words that would come out of his brother…

It's still unnerving for Letum to see this side of his brother, whom he had only known to be somewhat carefree and a whiner when it comes to homework.

×××

"They really don't let any mixed blood around here, huh?" Letum commented as they had settled in their shared guest room comfortably. "They looked at us as if we were some freaks…"

The piercing gazes and the hushed whisperings directed at them was enough pressure for Letum that he became stiff and unable to look around the castle.

Somnus, with a stoic expression, went to prepare some tea for the two of them, rummaging through the cabinet where the teapot, cups and the burner were stashed neatly.

He placed rooibos with orange peels and apple bits into the pot, steeping it properly in hot water before turning around to serve a cup to his brother.

He did all that without even once responding to Letum's comment, that's why Somnus was taken aback to see the scowl on the younger prince's brow as he handed him his cup.

"What were you thinking about so deeply that you didn't hear even one word of what I said?" Letum asked crossly.

Somnus chuckled, embarrassed, as he poured his own cup of tea before sitting down across Letum.

"A little bit of every potential scenario that may come to pass." Somnus answered truthfully. "A terrible thing happened when we finally got to step out of that estate…what more during our stay here?"

Letum daintily took a sip of his tea, his scowl finally easing off. "I guess that's true. You're worried they'd blame it on us?"

"It's a possibility. Peiren had also shared his sentiment on the matter."

"As long as nothing else happens, I don't think we'd be badly implicated." Letum told him with a slight smile. "You worry too much."

"Let, being your older brother, of course I'd worry for us. We are not exactly favorably viewed here, even though we didn't have anything to do with the incident between our eldest brother and the incumbent King of Herons…"

"Somie, as your younger brother," Letum chuckled as he saw his brother's face become rosy once he heard his childhood nickname, "it is my duty to remind you not to think negatively too much."

"Teach me your ways to see things in a positive light." Somnus mockingly replied.

Letum shook his head at his childish reaction. "Peiren did assure us that he had purposely let everyone see that we were with him and the King to keep anyone who had ill-will against us at bay. Everyone here probably knows how Peiren practically spent all these years checking in on us, staying in the estate more than he did here in this castle until a few years ago."

Somnus stared into his tea, partly admiring the color before sighing.

"I guess you're right. Pei would never put us in a difficult position…"